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Big Tech’s Big Bet on Nuclear Power to Fuel Artificial Intelligence
In a surprising move, several major technology companies have recently announced significant investments in small modular reactors (SMRs), also known as “pebble” reactors, which could revolutionize the way we generate electricity and power our increasingly AI-driven world.
As CBS News correspondent David Pogue reported, Google and Microsoft are just two of the tech giants throwing their weight behind this new approach to nuclear energy. According to Pogue’s investigation, these companies aim to build hundreds of SMRs across the United States, with plans to replace traditional fossil fuel-powered plants and support the growing demand for clean energy.
The promise of these “pebble” reactors lies in their unique design. Unlike traditional nuclear reactors, which use massive amounts of fuel and emit significant carbon dioxide emissions, SMRs are significantly more compact and efficient. Each pebble, roughly the size of a golf ball, contains graphite and uranium kernels that pack the same energy punch as four tons of coal, but with zero CO2 emissions.
While some experts in the field have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of this new technology, Microsoft’s CEO Joe Dominguez has reiterated his company’s commitment to achieving zero-carbon goals by 2030. Google’s Michael Terrell echoed similar sentiments, stating that the goal is “incredibly ambitious,” but achievable with the right investment and collaboration.
However, not everyone shares their optimism. George Washington University professor Sharon Squassoni, a renowned expert on nuclear safety, expressed concerns over the feasibility of these new reactors. She believes that Big Tech companies may be underestimating the sheer scale and complexity required to bring SMRs online.
“It’s hard to build anything,” she warned, “and it’s especially hard to build something as complex as a nuclear reactor.”
Despite these challenges, proponents argue that the benefits far outweigh any initial difficulties. For one, SMRs offer unparalleled safety and efficiency: operating at lower power and pressure means a dramatically reduced risk of accidents.
But even as Big Tech’s bet on nuclear energy seems like a bold move, some experts suggest there may be more pressing concerns at play. As Pogue notes, “nuclear power has been around for 40 years, but we still don’t really have any new plants being built.”
In this context, the real question is whether these companies are simply trying to “greenwash” their own carbon emissions by investing in a technology that may not be ready for primetime.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/big-techs-big-bet-on-nuclear-power-to-fuel-artificial-intelligence/
